The document introduces systems thinking and uses the Ball Point Game as an example. It defines a system as a network of interdependent components working together to achieve an aim. Each part has its own purpose and interacts with others. We cannot understand a system by looking at its parts in isolation without considering why it exists as a whole. Systems thinking views relationships, connectedness, and patterns over isolated objects and contents. The Ball Point Game is analyzed as a system with many interdependent elements, like rules, players, facilitator, and environment, all influencing its outcome.

1. An Introduction to
Systems Thinking
Jeff Kosciejew
Agile Magician, Manulife
@kosciejew
with the Ball Point Game

2. 2008
Ball Point Game

3. Ball Point Game
2008

4. Ball Point Game
2008

5. boris gloger
contact me:
boris.gloger@gmail.com
https://borisgloger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Ball_Point_Game.pdf
Ball Point Game

6. Game Objectives
• Pass as many balls through your team as
possible in the time provided
– We’ll need teams with an approximately
equal number of people per team
• Each ball that makes it to completion is worth
one point

7. Game Format
• 1 Minute of Planning per round
– How you’re going to work
– Estimation committed & documented
• 2 Minutes of Playing per round
– To accomplish the objective
– Following the rules
• We’ll play a total of 5 Rounds

8. Rules
• Everyone on your team must touch
every ball
• No passing to your immediate neighbour
• Each ball must have air time
• Start point = End point

9. What is a System?
• A network of interdependent components
that work together to accomplish the aim
of the system
• A system must have an aim. Without an
aim, there is no system
W.E. Deming, The New Economics 1993

10. What is a System?
• A set or pattern of relationships that work
together in some fashion. Systems can
accomplish things that would be impossible
if the same elements were put into random
relationships, or none at all…
Dr. Bill Bellows, 2010

11. Each Part in a System
• Have its own purpose
• Is interdependent
• Interacts with others

12. We Cannot Understand a System
• By looking at a collection of its parts
• Without looking outside of it
for why it exists
• By taking it apart
to analyze it

13. Systems Are…
• Indivisible
• A product of its
interactions, not
a sum of its parts

14. What is Systems Thinking?
• A way of looking at the world:
–Relationships over Unrelated Objects
–Connectedness over Isolated Events
–Process over Structure
–Patterns over Contents
–“WE” over “ME”

15. The characteristic way of management
that we have taught in the Western world
is take a complex system, divide it into
parts, and then try to manage each part
as well as possible. And if that’s done,
the system as a whole will behave well.
Russell Ackoff: A Theory of a System for Educators and Managers
https://youtu.be/2MJ3lGJ4OFo?t=1m18s

16. The characteristic way of management
that we have taught in the Western world
is take a complex system, divide it into
parts, and then try to manage each part
as well as possible. And if that’s done,
the system as a whole will behave well.
And that’s absolutely false.
Russell Ackoff: A Theory of a System for Educators and Managers
https://youtu.be/2MJ3lGJ4OFo?t=1m18s

17. An example of a system, well optimized, is a
good orchestra. The players are not there to
play solos as prima donnas, each one trying to
catch the ear of the listener.
They are there to support each other.
Individually they need not to be the best
players in the country… An orchestra is judged
by listeners, not so much by illustrious players,
but by the way they work together.
Edward Martin Baker: The Symphony of Profound Knowledge

18. Ball Point Game as a System
Ping Pong Balls
Perceptions / Biases
Rules
Players
Player Energy
Time of Day
Room & Layout
Bags & Bins
Facilitator
Facilitator Experience
Good
Bad

19. Ball Point Game as a System

20. Ball Point Game as a System
W.E. Deming, The New Economics for Industry, Government, Education, Ch. 2
96%4%

21. Ball Point Game as a System
Ping Pong Balls
Perceptions / Biases
Rules
Players
Player Energy
Time of Day
Room & Layout
Bags & Bins
Facilitator
Facilitator Experience
Good
Bad

22. Ball Point Game as a System
Ping Pong Balls
Perceptions / Biases
Rules
Players
Player Energy
Time of Day
Room & Layout
Bags & Bins
Facilitator
Facilitator Experience
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

23. Ball Point Game & Systems Thinking
• Did the improvements your team came up with
address the system or a part of the system?
• What improvement would you make to the
game, thinking about your whole system?
• How might this apply this to your real work?

24. http://dpwhelan.com/blog/uncategorized/learning-scrum-through-the-ball-point-game/

25. B

26. An Introduction to
Systems Thinking
Jeff Kosciejew
Agile Magician, Manulife
@kosciejew
with the Ball Point Game